Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-27
SELLING WHITE MEN.
kentucky's Peculisr Method oe Pun
ishing Vagabonds.
Fa.an a. Neio York Herald.

LOUISVILLE, KY, March l3.-N ltaln
The last week two men have been sold INTO
slavery in Kentucky. They were put up
at auction and knocked down to the high
Fest bidders in the presence OF large
crowds.
Both men are white, married. and have
families, In one case the sale was mace
1t the request Of the prisoner.
The names of the degraded beings are
Henry l.. Dodson, OF BrOokvllie, BrScken
county, asd Henry Hart,ot Logan county.
The sales occurred last Mondav,tn front OF
the court house doors in BrookYille and
hussellville respectively, the latter town
being the county seat o; Logan county.
The sale OF Dodson excited the most
comment, as it had been frequently mem
toned in the press. He was arrested
near Brookyille, where he had been living
with his family in the utmost misery ana
degradation. Being taken before magls-
trate he was bound over to answer IN tue
Circuit Court on toe charge OF Vagrancy:
To save lying in jail some time he asked
for an immediate trial, and this being
granted he was convicted and sentenced
to have his services sold TOR the period OF
seventy-five days.
SOLD FOR DOLLAR.
Large crowds were in attendance. The
auction was begun promptly at noon by
COGI1H IrWID, NOO HStIltN 10 lbtl uiS IiObI-
ton much more kecnly than did DOdsOn.
The words rather stuck in his throat
when he began the crying, and when no
bids came for sOme time he grew dis
couraged. At last some one offered 25c,
and then bids were offered rapidly till
500. W as reached. Interest died out then,
but il was revived after little, till at last
- saixr Metcalfe made the generous offer
III 81, for which the vagrant was knocked
n down.
NJ Dodson did not take the matter at all
n kindly, but was as much astonished as
the crowd when Mr.. Metcalie announced
that he could not bear to see a white man
In slavery, and he would therefore re-
lease his property.
A hubbub arose among the people, who
freely expressed their indignation. Their
excitement seemed to restore some
semDlance of manhood to Dodson.
Mounting the doorstep he shouted that
be had not ceen treated fairly, and Bit
terly denounced the jury before which he
had been tried. He was Kissed and
hooted down, however, aud forced to
leave town by the indignant citizens who
threatened an application of tar and
feathers.
Dodsou is Al years of age and is a
chronic vagrant. He and his wife and
four children have been living tor years
In little hut near BroOkvllle. His neigh
bors relate a terrible story OF their shame
and degradation, and charge him with
the most wanton cruelty to an imbecile
son.
Mrs. Dodson and her family were re-
moved last week to the County Intirmary,
and for the first time in years were com
fortably clothed. The sudden prosperity
was too much for the youngest child,
mere infant, which seemed on the point
OF dying from starvation when admitted
to the intrmary. 1t was thOughtlessy
a ,t.Alr
The third day 1t died, it is supposed from
the effects of the too liberal allowance OF
food.
Dodson talked very freely about himself
the morning OF the sale. When asked if
he would work after he was sold ne re-
piled that he would, but that alter his
Beventy-dve days were out it would not
be healthy for his purchaser. de has not
been seen since his abrupt departure upon
being given his freedom.
YOUNG, BUT LAZY.
Henry Hart, the other vagrant, is a
young man not more than "A or % years
OF age. He is vagrant by nature.
Hart was arrested about a week ago,
and on his trial the sentence OF the court
was that his services he sold for the
period OF sixty days. The auction took
place on County Court day, at Russell
vile, and an immense crowd had gath
toOk his station by the side OF the auc-
tiopeer, who began by announcing that he
had for sale zone stout buck, white,
sound in all his parts.'
- Tho "buek" grinned good naturedly at
the words. He wore a broad brimmed
SLOUGH hat and red bandanna was tied
around his neck. A very s0iled shirt and
ragged pantaloons thrust into the tops OF
rough boots completed his uninviting at
tire. During the bidding he smiled with
insolent Indifference, and when a lull
came would whistle merrily.
The first bid offered was but nickel.
This was raised slowly, DC. at q time.
When 60c. was bid the most persuasive
efforts of the auctioneer could do no more,
and Hart was knocked down to Mr., j. b.
:. Small, a wealthy farmer, VINO imme-
&ssdiately took him out to his home, about
"a Eve miles from Russellville.
~ SATISFIED SLAVE.
ii Your correspondent drove out to in
eferview Hart this morning. The vagrant
Twas found sitting upon woodpile near
ne house, whistling merrily. An ak lay
gainst log in which two or three slight
Washes had been made.
show do you like your slavery ?r
u querIed the reporter.
n ats boss; beats anything Pve struck
yet" answered Hart, boldly.
"Do you feel no humiliation at being
sold into slaveryv was asked, after the
reporter had regained his slightly shocked
compOsure.
"HumlliationW snOrted Hart, in an
parent surprise. whats ter make a
man feel bad when he's gettin' his vittles
S--and clothes and dry place to sleepW
"Would you like to live this way all
your lifer
''Don't want nothin' better" he re.
sponded, and added In sreply to another
question that he guessed somebody would
take care Of his family. II not, they
could take care Of themselves, aud then
he went back to whistling and refused to
answer further questions.
MIR. Small was aiterward seen by the
reporter and asked how he liked his pur-
chase.
eff get my Goo. back I'll be satisfied"
he answered. 81 think It is as unnatural
for Hart to work as for fish to live out
Of water"
Hart is a native TeDnesseean, and
doesn't know exactly whether he is "a or
rs years OF age. lie was reared Ia Rob-
ertson county Of that State, aud comes of
depraved family. A sister IL serving q
two years term in the penitentiary for
Qhild m nd no oil